Computers

Computer Room
The Computer Room has to be the most popular place. In the mornings it is busy from way before most children have arrived at school. Emails are being caught up on, projects completed and printed and general socialising happens around the machines.
Unfortunately, access has to be restricted on rainy days as everybody wants to be there.
We have adopted a policy of "work only". Children my only be in the Computer Room if they have work to be done. There just isn't space for everyone. It is available on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons for those who need to do research, type or complete projects.

Lessons
Each class from Grade 3 to Grade 7 has one hour in the Computer Room each week. Grade 1 and 2 each have 1 hour every second week as their school day is much shorter.
During the hourly lesson we learn a new computer skill and practice some of the old ones. Usually the lessons are linked to what is happening in the student's classes. Sometimes we just have fun. During Readathon week, we swapped e-mail stories, read online novels, made "Favourite Book" placemats, drew our favourite stories using Paint and researched authors.
We also have a variety of educational games which have been purchased over time and one or two Shareware games that are made use of to teach particular skills or concepts.

Computer Committee
The Computer Committee consists of a group of Grade 7 pupils whose main task is to keep control in the Computer Room at breaks and before school as well as to assist students wherever possible.
They help to draw up the rules and regulations for the use of the Computers and the Computer Room. They organise and control a roster which allows all pupils equal use of the computers at break times. Being part of the student body, they are more aware of the needs of the students as well as having better knowledge of what tricks students may try. Students are able to make suggestions concerning the use of the computers through this committee.The Committee are usually the first ones to notice any problem areas or machines and these are brought to the attention of the teacher or the Network manager.
One of the less liked tasks is cleaning. Each computer is given a thorough cleaning once a week. The Committee gives up a break to make sure that this is done properly.
Together with the co-operation of the committee as well as all the pupils we are able to enjoy many hours of fun in the Computer Room.

Apple Laptops
This has been a very exciting prioject for The Grove. There have been many spin-offs in terms of teacher training, pupil motivation and inspiration. See the attached document for further infromation.